This menu allows the user to create elements by connecting selected nodes or points. The supported element types are compatible with LS-DYNA. The element types are shown in Figure 5.3.19.
Figure 5.3.19 Element Type dialog box
1. SHELL
This function allows the user to create quadrilateral and triangular elements in the current part. The INPUT COORDINATE dialog box will appear to enable the user to select a node/point to define the element.
CREATE QUADRILATERAL ELEMENT
The element is created automatically once four nodes or points are selected.
CREATE TRIANGULAR ELEMENT
The user must click OK or the middle mouse button to complete the element after three nodes or points are selected.
2. BEAM
Select two points or nodes by cursor in the screen.
Define the material axis by selecting a third node/point or by defining the orientation vector.
BY NODE
BY POINT
BY VECTOR
The above three values may be entered in the POP-UP dialog box to define a vector in the beam local XY plane. The local Y-axis of the beam will be plotted at the first node of the bar element as it is generated.
3. NODAL RIGID BODY
The user selects nodes or points in the INPUT COORDINATE dialog box. The NODAL RIGID BODY is created automatically in the current part once DONE is selected.
4. SPOT WELD
A SPOT WELD is created automatically in the current part after two nodes or points are selected in the INPUT COORDINATE dialog box.
5. SOLID
This function allows the user to create cube, wedge, and tetrahedron elements by using options in the INPUT COORDINATE dialog box.
TETRAHEDRON
Select four nodes/points, and select DONE, or click the middle mouse button. The first three nodes define the base of the tetrahedron. They should follow the right hand rule to point to the fourth node.
PENTAHEDRON
Select six nodes/points (pick the second set of three nodes/points in the same order as the first set), and select DONE, or click the middle mouse button. The first three nodes define the bottom face of the pentahedron. They should follow the right hand rule to point to the top face.
HEXAHEDRON
Select eight nodes/points (pick the second set of four nodes/points in the same order as the first set) and the element will be created automatically. The first four nodes define the bottom face of the hexahedron. They should follow the right hand rule to point to the top face.
6. SPRING/DAMPER (2 NODE ELEMENTS)
The element is created after two nodes/points are selected.
7. MASS (1 NODE ELEMENT)
Enter the value of the mass in the field of the displayed dialog box.
Select nodes/points as the mass element by using options in the INPUT COORDINATE dialog box.
8. THICK SHELL
The element is created after eight nodes/points are selected (the second set of four nodes/points is in the same order of the first set). The first four nodes define the bottom face of the thick shell. They should follow the right hand rule to point to the top face.